Changeable sign



Aug. 8, 1944. J. Dow

CHANGEABLE SIGN Filed March 7, 1942 INVNOR. John Dow Patented Aug. s, 1944 A Y '2,355,518

UNITED STATES PATENT i OFI-TCE JohnDow, Lakewood, 0hio AmnMfaMdvrm-h '1 1942 serial No.432x01 means of the tacks 3 and the molding 4, it may be placed at once in the desired position out-ofdoors. Then, under the influence of the natural elements, the cloth of the sign will shrink to a substantial degree and, as a result, it will be pulled into perfectly uniformly taut condition over the entire surface of the backing. The rigidity of the tacks 3 will prevent the same from being bent over by the force of such shrinking action; and moreover the walls of the grooves 'l will limit the extentlof any such bending of these tacks. Thus the parts will at all times and under all circumstances remain intact.

When it is desired to change the subject mat- A ter of the sign, this can be done by removing the molding and then removing the cloth `sign from the tacks 3. Then the new sign of the same form and material may be placed and secured in position in the same manner as above described. The old sign may be stored away for further use in the future and these signs may be changed as frequently as desired without having to resort to the employment of expert services and without having to wait until convenient for the service company to change the sign in` any given locality, even if such service be available in such locality.

With my present. form of construction, I utilize the factor of the shrinking effect of the natural elements upon a particular kind of material. That is, I convert into a distinct advantage what would ordinarily be regarded as a disadvantage. By exposing my. sign constructionto the natural elements, the fabric material of the Such a sign may be made of any size or dimensions desired. In case a double width of the shrinkable material shouldbe employed by sew- -ing the-same together, I vhave found that the force of the shrinking action will serve to pull the seam tighter and will thus ensure a smooth appearance throughout even under such conditions.

What I claim is:

In a changeable sign, the combination of a back, a single sheet of fabric upon which is provided the subject matter to be displayed, said sheet having a decidedly and substantially uniformly shrinkable nature in substantially all directions and throughout the entire extent thereof, and mechanical means for rmly secur' ing all of the marginal portions but only the marginal portions of said sheet to said back, the main body of said sheet being free to respond to the shrinking effect of the natural elements so as to be rendered uniformly taut thereby in substantially all directions and throughout the entire extent thereof.

JOHN DOW. 

